Cuddy vs Open bow

[nitsuj]

While looking at boats, I've become curious about Cuddy's. I've only had open bows in the past, and I'm now looking at a Cuddy. But I'm not sure if it's the way to go. What are the pros and cons? It seems like you have more room in an open bow, but how often do people sit up there? And what do you use the Cuddy for? It's not like I'm going to crawl in there and nap in the middle of the day. So, who had both and which do you prefer? And why?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

Never had a cuddy so
not sure about actual size. I would assume you can stow gear out of the weather a little easier.If you had a little one (s) that needed a knap or a place to play out of the sun.
If you didn't mind roughing it a little you could do an overnight if you had a portapotty.I assume sunbathers could ride and sun on the top.In a way you might say a cuddy could double your space forward depending on the deck size.I would think it would do a little better in rough weather.Bow rider seems a little single minded you can lounge and I supose fish up there.But other wise thats about it.I suppose you could also fish off of the cuddy.

 

[calmwaters]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

My last boat was an open bow and worked great for the purpose I needed it for. Great for water sports, fishing and day usage. I did have all the tops and stayed aboard overnight a few times, was very difficult. It was a 75 larson 18ft. Last year we decided to buy a newer and slightly larger boat and wanted to overnight as well. After looking around I bought a 92 bayliner 2252, 22ft cabin cruiser. This is basically a oversized cuddy, but feels very large in comparison to the crawl in cuddies we looked at.I can stand in front of the sink and have headroom, I am 6ft. Having the cabin has opened up our boating opertunities, since overnighting is not a problem, have a pota pottie sink stove and built in icebox. We can do all we did on the open bow including watersports and fishing is very comfortable. I dont have a large group of friends comming along and we rarely had anyone ride in the bow anyway. What is most important is what you need and want from your boat. A cabin can be a great addition a place to rest, storage, saftey from the elements, head, cook ect. Take a look at what your usage is and what you might like to try in the future and enjoy your boat.

Harold

 

[Milkmaster]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

An open bow allows me to have a smaller 18 ft boat and still not feel crowded with my family of five riding. The kiddies like to ride up there with the wind in their hair etc. It also helps distribute the weight easier. We don't spend the night on the boat, so a cuddy would not be of any service to me and is actually too hot in the summer here. Storage would be all I would use it for when what I need is seating.

I agree with the former post that says get a cabin over the cuddy if you plan to spend real time in it. Some of the smaller cabin cruisers really work well for those that want to sleep and have a meal onboard. They just won't fit in my garage

In the end, get what is best for your needs. Doesn't matter what we say here unless you are happy there

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

Completely agree with above posts. I have owned both, currently boat with a 20' cuddy but I have two kids 3 & 6 so it makes more sence for me with the cuddy. We spend a lot of time at Lake Powell so it is nice to be abel to put all of our stuff up there for 2-3 days on the lake plus there is a hold that you can take the cover off of and put the porta potty down in which is nice. I can seat six in back so it works out nice right now. I am very into slalom skiing and you would think that big of a boat would put out a bad wake for skiing but with a 235 outboard I'm much smaller wake than my brother in laws 22.5' larson open bow. I like the fact that in bad weather I can put up the full rain curtians and be fine and all my stuff is dry too. Even though it is a "crawl in" type cuddy the hatch on the bow slides open(forward) about half the length of the bow and the windshield opens like a open bow so it makes getting in as easy as any open bow I have ever owned or been on. In the future though when the kids get a bit older and want to bring friends to the lake I might look into another open bow but I sure like my cuddy for now..

 

[MikDee]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

I've had more bowriders then cuddy's, but here's two I've had, and my opinion. I had a 79'- 24' SeaRay Cuddy, with a 350/260 Mercruiser and it was just right, (roomy) with 2 sealed windows each side, a hatch, a large V-berth, and head in the middle, because, most boats of 22' and smaller I checked out at that time, had either a small cuddy, or no windows (closed in feeling), and not much cockpit area to move around without feeling cramped, mine had high seating, and a large perfect size cockpit. It was a deep boat also, and when it came on plane it was high, like riding a big SUV,,, but, because of this, it needed hydraulic trim tabs to keep it level.

I also had an 86'- 22.5' Celebrity Cuddy, with twin V6's, that had twin small lounge seats on either side, and a good size V-berth with a head in the middle, plus 2 sealed windows each side, and a hatch, But it also had a small cockpit (cramped) with 2 drop down bolster seats, and a single full width rear seat, not made for carrying a lot of people.

These were not Weekender style boats with a stove, fridge, table, & booths, or a stand up head as some Cuddy style boats have , these were just plain ordinary Cuddy's, and were fine for just me, & my girlfiend at the time.

I originally got the cuddy's for overnight hang out on the water, and some nightime cabin action, they were great for that, and getting out of the weather in a storm, But, here's the downsides,

1) They are hot most of the time, not so much when moving with the hatch open,,, but deadair just seems to hang there when still unless you get A/C.
2) You cannot ride on deck safely, or legally maybe? with them moving
3) Sometimes depending on wave conditions, they're not too much fun inside while underway more then at wake speed, and I even know people who got seasick in them (women are more prone).
4) 1/3, to 1/2, of your boat is unusable because of the space they take up, unless stopped, or going slow.
5) It becomes quite a hassle jumping up on deck (usually thru the hatch) when coming in to dock, especially when you're going faster then you think!
6) Balancing on the deck, while tossing the anchor over, or even better, pulling it up, is quite a chore, especially with big anchors, a heavy boat, and in a heavy sea!
7) I've saved the best for last, try doing all this alone, or with your significant other, who may not be as strong, or handy around boating as yourself (that is also if you're pretty handy, and in good shape) the bigger the boat, the more difficult it is with just a couple people.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

My 2 cents...

Cuddy is great for big lakes and big water... Overnighting too... Other than that forget it. I owned a cuddy my first and only boat because I wanted it to go out on Lake Michigan and other large bodies of water. If the waves pick up while you are out there you could swamp the boat with them breaking over the bow..

Open Bow is the way to go if u ski/ tube fish etc.. More room for the buck. Holds more people etc... I am sure u get the idea. Great for small lakes..


T

 

[Boatist]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

I have never owned a open bow boat but do have a 14 foot open boat and a 21 foot closed bow. Also road on lots of friends open bow boats.

Open bow boats good for small lakes and skiers, also if your pull into shore a lot. For a big group gives you more seating when not running or if you have some that like to ride in the up in the wind on a calm day. Last it a little lighter.

Closed bow and cuddy are safer in big water and oceans. If you get green water on the bow it not life threatening. Gives you the space to store all the gear out of the sun and spray. Gives you a private space. Have a place to lock all the gear up if camping over night. I like having a place to put all the gear away instead of just putting it on the floor where it is in the way.
You can never safely ride on the bow while under way but for sunning when drifting or anchored it fine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

i'm a stickler for space, the cuddy uses up a lot of deck space. in the south are extremely hot in the summer, so you only go into it for the potty. people with small kids let them nap in the oven. which with a proper set up they can also do in a boat with a closed bow. boarding and debarking over the bow, is a pita.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

i grew up with a open bow. great lake boat. and great for watersports too which is what ours was mostly used for.

i don't have a cuddy. but i do have a closed bow w/ a slideing hardtop. had it for a year now and i like it so far. i use it mostly as a cruiser. for a 19' boat it feels real roomy inside. it has much space between the backfaceing ft. seats and the very back seats. which would be great if i was a fisherman. also makes a good place to get back in after a swim. the closed bow allows me to go out in larger lakes and still feel like i'm pretty safe as any waves over the bow wash away.

as i think about my boat. it's biggest plus is the hardtop. i can be fully enclosed w/ the back canvas on. or i can have the top slid back a shade from the windshield and get much air. i like the privacy and shade it provides. also being able to get out of the wind sometimes is a big plus too. the wind can really whip ya by the end of the day. i was in high winds again yesterday. had the top closed. i was thinking to myself. wow. i don't even know what its like outside as i'm oblivious to the surrounding environment. nice and cozy inside.

my biggest dislike of my boat is the anchoring thing. yep, that's a pita. but doable. dockin aint that bad. i've learned how to do it and it aint that hard. but ya do have to be ready to dock, lines ready.....

only thing i can't do is ride in the bow of the boat, which i don't mind the sacrifice. and rideing in a bow rider up ft. is a real good time. still like to do it on my buddys bayliner.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

Well nitsuj, looks like you got some very factual and accurate (my opinion) information. I can't add to it but agree wholeheartedly.

Mark

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Cuddy vs Open bow

Yeah, I got lots of info, but I'm no less confused. I see the strong points of both now, so I guess I just have to decide which set-up would be better for me. Thanks guys.

Now if I could only get this type of response to my Regal thread.